2018/02/10

The Longines Masters of Hong Kong 2018, the Grand Slam of Indoor Show Jumping in its sixth edition, kicked off yesterday at the AsiaWorld-Expo. It brought together the world’s 30 best riders from 15 countries and regions, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Tai Pei and United States of America, in competitions over three days between 9th and 11th February, 2018 for grand prizes up to US$382,800. Participants not only enjoyed the experience of world-class show jumping competitions with fashion and arts, but also a new meeting point of equestrian world in the Asian Pacific region – the inaugural Asia Horse Week and the launch of international live broadcast channel EEM.tv.

At the Asia Horse Week, Mr. Michael Lee, our President of Hong Kong Equestrian Federation (HKEF) delivered his presentation on the theme of “Riding the wave of Beijing 2008” under session 7 – From Hong Kong’s Asian Equestrian Legacy to Tokyo 2020.
With the support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and the kind assistance provided by the Education Bureau, Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and Home Affairs Bureau (HAB), HKEF organized education tours for about 2,000 students and members of various non-government organizations.

Masters One AsiaWorld-Expo
Emanuele Gaudiano from Italy with the 9 year-old gelding Einstein clinched the top place at the opening competition Masters One AsiaWorld-Expo at 1.45m over 12 fences and won the prize of US$9,000 at the time of 61.55s. The second place was belonged to Jane Richard Philips from Switzerland with only 0.55 seconds behind. Clarissa Lyra with Catokia 2 finished the course in 69.29 seconds with just one rail down, placing 15th at the end.

The unique competition at the Asian leg of the Longines Masters of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Race of the Riders, and the fifth edition of the HKJC Club Trophy were the major highlights of this opening night.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Race of the Riders
Our Hong Kong representatives Jacqueline Lai and Clarissa Lyra, and two world-class show jumpers Reed Kessler and Simon Delestre paired up with the four outstanding jockeys Derek Leung, Joao Moreira, Neil Callan and Vincent Ho to compete for the top prize of the HKJC Race of the Riders. Under the enthusiastic cheers of the home crowd, Jacqueline Lai and Clarissa Lyra were in the lead followed by the two jockeys Derek Leung and Vincent Ho respectively to complete the rest of fences in the separate relays. The Team Dash, consisting of Clarissa with Chardonay Haras des Barrages and Vincent with Fiona D’Ecaussinnes, was eventually crowned champions of the Race at the time of 74.12 seconds. The second place was claimed by the Team JC’s Neil Callan with Einstein Chavannais and Simon Delestre with Bamako M’Aurea at the time of 74.24 seconds, only 0.12 seconds behind the Team Dash. Jacqueline and Derek of the Team Gen came third at the time of 85.10 seconds, followed by the Team Bloom’s Reed Kessler and Joao Moreira.

Before the HKJC Trophy started, our President of Hong Kong Equestrian Federation Mr. Michael Lee and the Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Dr. Simon Ip walked the course with 20 kids from different parts of the community to share the fun and joy of our sports.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy
With the target of being the HKJC Trophy Champion, Jacqueline with Basta competed against 21 top riders in the world, including Olympians, World Champions, European Champions, and winners from all major international shows, at the HKJC Trophy at 1.5m over two rounds for the prize of US$84,000. Jacqueline ended the course with only 4 jumping and 1 time faults at the time of 74.75 seconds. The second round was reserved for the top 10 ranked riders from the first round, at which scores were discarded and started to be counted again. Daniel Deusser from Germany earned the top place with a perfect round at the time of 38.73 seconds while Jerome Guery from Belgium came second with a clear round and just 2.24 seconds behind.

Today, Jacqueline Lai and Clarissa Lyra 2 will compete in the Longines Speed Challenge at 1.45m. On top of it, Clarissa will also compete in the Maserati Masters Power – Six bars at 1.5m. The second edition of the HKJC JETs Challenge for riders from the HKJC Junior Equestrian Training Squad will be held as well.